Cotswold Eco-Breaks

The Cotswolds area has been a tourist destination for as long as we can remember, with visitors coming for the beautiful rural setting, high quality accommodation and wide range of events. Please see below for a list of accommodation options striving to be green.

Why does tourism in the Cotswolds need to be sustainable?

The Cotswolds is among Britain's most beautiful areas - and we want to keep it that way. As the largest Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) in England and with nearly 15,000 listed buildings, it is extremely important to conserve and enhance the natural beauty so that future visitors can enjoy the Cotswolds in the same way. The Cotswolds Conservation Board exists to protect the AONB and works with a wide-range of partner organisations to ensure that this is achieved. The Cotswolds Conservation Board produce a selection of leaflets on public transport in the Cotswolds, which can be downloaded below. A general guide to visiting attractions and getting around in the Cotswolds using public transport can be found here. Also take a look at the Cotswold Way National Trail website for lots of information on walking and public transport in the area.

Your impact on the Cotswolds

Have you ever thought about the impact that your stay in the Cotswolds may be having on the environment?

Be a responsible tourist and make a positive difference on the environment and local area. It's easy to add a few actions to your visit to help care for the area, there are a number of ways to do this:

Consider your method of transport to, from and around the Cotswolds by using websites such as Transport Direct and Traveline.

Choose an accommodation provider accredited by the Green Tourism Business Scheme - below for details of the scheme

Visit an attraction accredited by the Green Tourism Business Scheme

Have a day out with a difference - leave the car behind and stretch your legs on one of the Cotswolds' beautiful walking or cycling trails
The Cotswold Way National Trail is a great way to see the stunning coutryside without a car

Buy local produce to cut down on 'food miles'

Ensure you are reducing and recycling your rubbish

Choose your town or village base so that you can use public transport to get around. See our Cotswolds public transport information that can be downloaded below

The Green Tourism Business Scheme

The Green Tourism Business Scheme is the national sustainable tourism certification scheme for the UK. Businesses opting to join the scheme are assessed by a qualified grading advisor against a rigorous set of criteria. Those businesses that meet the required standard receive a Bronze, Silver, or Gold award based on their level of achievement. This means you can be sure that the accredited accommodation, attraction or Tourist Information Centre you are visiting is demonstrating action on energy & water efficiency, waste reduction, support for local suppliers and promoting alternatives to the car, as well as much more.

Public transport information

Getting around the Cotswolds by Public Transport is easy. The Cotswolds AONB website has a list of timetables and information on buses and trains. You can even start your journey from home with the Escape to the Cotswolds Discoverer Pass in connection with the Cotswolds AONB, Great Western Trains, as well as the local bus services. For more information about the Cotswolds Discoverer Pass, please click here.

Located in the heart of the Cotswolds, Wyck Hill House Hotel and Spa is a four star, 2 AA rosette country house hotel nestled within 50 acres of grounds, offering breathtaking views of the beautiful Windrush Valley and rolling hills of the...

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From the sympathetic renovation and rejuvenation of the medieval agricultural buildings to the fully productive kitchen garden & farm at the heart of the brand, ‘for the love of the land’ is a statement that underlines each aspect of the business....

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A true ‘destination pub’; The Village Pub, Barnsley reflects the heart and soul of the Cotswolds. Picture a British country pub, with comfortable communicating rooms, first class food and a good choice of drinks, with seats in the back courtyard.